OREANDA-NEWS. April 6, 2011. Tata Power, India's largest integrated private power company, today, announced that the consortium comprising Tata Power and SN Power, Norway, has bagged the “Dugar Hydro Electric Project” in the Chenab valley in Himachal Pradesh, India. Tata Power and SN Power, Norway, entered into an exclusive partnership in 2009 to develop hydro power projects to meet the increasing energy demand in India and Nepal through the provision of clean energy.

The capacity for Dugar Hydro Electric Project is estimated to be approximately 236MW.

The Dugar Hydro Electric Project will be developed through a special purpose vehicle (SPV) being formed and owned by the consortium. A detailed exploration and design study will be undertaken to plan and finalise the project implementation. The pre-implementation agreement will be signed with the Directorate of Energy, Government of Himachal Pradesh, shortly.

The run-of-the-river Dugar Hydro Electric Project will primarily feed the northern grid. It is the last project in cascade in Himachal Pradesh on the river Chandrabhaga (Chenab) and envisages a dam height of 93 metres with an underground cavern-type powerhouse at its base. 

Speaking on the occasion, Anil Sardana, managing director, Tata Power, said, “This project further contributes to our clean fuel portfolio and reinforces our sustainability agenda. Our association with SN Power has been fruitful and rewarding and is in line with our growth strategy to build global relationships and partnerships with the organisations which are leading performers in their field.”

Adding further,  Tor Stokke, chief executive officer, SN Power, said, “We are delighted with this win. Our partnership with Tata Power allows us to combine our extensive hydro power competence while drawing on our common approach to social and environmental sustainability and ethical business conduct.”

Himachal Pradesh has abundant hydro resources with a power potential of about 23,000MW. About 6,672MW have been harnessed till now by the central and state governments, private players and joint venture companies.

Apart from this win in Himachal Pradesh, the consortium of Tata Power – SN Power is working on developing the “880MW Tamakoshi 3 Project” in Nepal for which they have an exploratory licence.

Tata Power, with generation capabilities in hydro, thermal, solar and wind energy has nearly 3,000MW plus, already in operation, with an additional 5,500MW in construction. Tata Power currently has about 447MW of operational hydro power capacity in Maharashtra, which feeds clean power to the island city of Mumbai and about 114MW from Dagachhu Hydro Project under construction in Bhutan in JV with Druk Green Power Company, Royal Government of Bhutan.